CONSTELLATION LAB | 2026 EMERGING LEADERS

Oscar Biesanz is a Research Technologist at UNMC, where he works as a molecular biologist studying cancers of the immune system. He is also committed to giving back to his community and values building connections that strengthen society.

Kayley Cooper is the Development and Marketing Manager at Relentless Merchandise. She works in business development and growth strategy, focusing on connecting people, generating ideas, and moving initiatives forward. She approaches her work with curiosity, care, and optimism, and values being a thoughtful partner to the people behind each idea.

Cayla Iske is the Director of Nutrition at the Omaha Zoo. She earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln and her master’s and PhD from Iowa State University. She is an advocate for equity and belonging, serving as the zoo’s Community of Belonging chair and as a diversity liaison with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Maddie Leblanc Davis is the Creative Director at Firespring, where she focuses on bringing brands to life through strategic marketing and creative execution. She is driven by collaboration, storytelling, and helping mission-driven organizations expand their impact.

Cassie Mahnken is a Fitness Coach at Orangetheory Fitness and a Real Estate Agent with Keller Williams Lincoln. She brings a people-first approach shaped by experience in fitness leadership, sales management, and real estate. She is focused on helping others navigate meaningful transitions and is committed to building with intention, integrity, and long-term impact.

Michael Mahnken is a Director of Operations at a 3PL and ecommerce company, where he focuses on solving problems and building systems to improve business performance. He is known for bringing clarity to complex situations and supporting teams in execution. Outside of work, he spends time with his family and remains involved in student mentorship and leading a life group.

Emily Meyers is the Administrative Services Coordinator at the Omaha Community Foundation. She brings clarity, strong follow-through, and steady leadership to complex work, with a focus on supporting both people and systems. She lives in Omaha with her husband, Neil, and their dog, Curry.

Kelly Morgan, CPA, is the Tax & Accounting Coordinator at Jane Smiley CPA, Inc. She has worked in public accounting since 2003 and specializes in individual and business tax consulting, as well as small business accounting and advisory. Outside of work, she spends her time focused on faith, family, and volunteering.

Aidan Noble is a Software Engineering Manager at Bloom Growth and is currently in her first formal leadership role. She is a solo parent to a young daughter and lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Outside of work, she enjoys reading, working out, and gardening.

Kim Preston is the Director of Lending Services at the Center for Rural Affairs. She works to support entrepreneurs in rural communities by combining responsible lending with personalized financial coaching. Her approach focuses on building confidence, capacity, and long-term sustainability.

Katie Ricenbaw serves as the Director of Education at the Center for People in Lincoln, Nebraska, a role she has held for the past three years. She leads programs that expand access to education, workforce training, and reentry support. Outside of work, she enjoys gardening, trying new recipes, and spending time with her husband, Trevor, and their family.

Anderson Sainci is the Director of Strategic Partnerships for the City of Dubuque and a servant leader with more than 12 years of experience in local government. In his role, he leads and coordinates intergovernmental relationships across city, county, state, and federal levels, helping strengthen collaboration and strategic partnerships across communities.

Alesha Skoda is the Associate Director at The Foundry Community in Lincoln, Nebraska. She is committed to strengthening communities through collaborative, community-based work that supports the growth of people and ideas. She values care, curiosity, and connection, and enjoys serving on a local choir board and exploring local businesses.

Briana Stewart is a fourth-grade Educator with Lincoln Public Schools, where she is dedicated to fostering growth in her classroom and beyond. She holds master’s degrees in Curriculum and Instruction and Educational Leadership, and leads school- and district-wide professional development focused on advancing student success and building collaborative cultures.

Courtney Strayer works on the Organizational Development team at Bryan Health, where she supports employee engagement and leadership development initiatives. After graduating from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 2019, she began her career in higher education, supporting student success while earning her master’s in educational administration. Across her experiences, she has been drawn to connecting people with opportunities and increasing awareness of available resources. In addition to her full-time role, she volunteers and works part-time with Launch Leadership, a nonprofit focused on youth leadership development. She enjoys spending time in the Lincoln community, connecting with friends, and anything Bravo-related.

Joe Toscano is an award-winning designer, published author, and international keynote speaker. He is the CEO of Service Stories, a platform that helps service-based businesses turn their daily work into content that ranks on Google and is referenced by AI. He also spent nearly a decade contributing to efforts to create a safer internet and was featured as an expert in the Netflix documentary The Social Dilemma.

Tyler White-Welchen is the Director of Leadership Development at 100 Black Men of Omaha, where he designs and leads youth mentorship programming for middle and high school students. He is currently completing his MBA and will begin a doctoral program in Leadership at Doane University.

Madison Wiley is a Client Services Manager at The Starr Group / Culture Index. She is known for her attention to detail and collaborative approach. Transitioning from a background in the arts, she brings strong communication skills, adaptability, and a client-focused mindset to streamline processes and support effective execution.

Garrett Zaporowski is the Workshop Director at Launch Leadership, where he focuses on developing leaders through thoughtful decision-making, empathy, and collaboration. With a background in philosophy and nonprofit management, he emphasizes ethical leadership and supporting others in creating meaningful, positive change.